Potentiometer system



Dec. 26, 1933. o. NAEF POTENTIOMETER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 26, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 26, 1933. 0. NAEF 1,941,444

POTENTIOMETER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 26, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a/HAMZAAX/O/L @Mo 92mg m/wwg Dec. 26, 1933. O N 1,941,444

POTENTIOMETER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 26, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. l 1933 V parliamentarian-Sm 1 V om Naef, Haddonfield, N. 145 m a; m.

Chalmers Manufacturingwflompany, Milwaukee, Wis.;'a corporation of Delaware A pnuuonnum 26,1931. s mi Names rr (oi. 171 119) This invention relates to improvements in means for obtaining a current from; an A. C. source at a voltage the source.

s In t utilization of electricalf nergy "it is often desired to produceelectrical energy at one" voltage and transmit it at another voltage or, where a sourceof electrical energy is available, it

is often desired to draw energy from the source at a voltage either higher or lower than" that "of the source. Suchdifferent voltages are usually I obtained by meansof electro-magnetictrans-1 formers which are generally foun'd reasonablein cost and satisfactory in operation forthe majority of ranges of voltages and outputs required.

For a certain number ofapplications however, transformers are not found satisfactory; thus if quired. It may also be desired to obtain high, voltages at low power froma} source of ,low'

voltage supply in which case his again necessary to build a transformer having ahigh degree of insulation between the low voltage and the high voltage windings. Means other than. transform ers, have been proposed such astheso-called syn chronizing bushings; which are however capable of delivering only very small amounts of energy and are of practical application only; where the,

bushings are already needed for insulating pur poses.

from the line. Thispresents the disadvantage, of 40 requiring adjustment of the potentiometer in function of the load and thedanger'of causing excessive voltages to appearwhich are however capable of delivering only;, very small amounts of where the bushings arealready sulating purposes. n

It has also been proposed low voltage from a high voltage. supply line by a potentiometer arrangement in which case the ly dependent upon the amountfof'energ'y drawn from. the line. This presents the, disadvantage vof requiring adjustment .of "the potentiometer 66 function of the load 'and'th'e danger of causing different from the voltage of potentiometer;

to obtain energy at voltage obtained from the potentiometer is u'sual r potentiometer elementslfor certain values of the loadcircuit. 'It has been found that, thepo-fl tentiometer is formed from three reacti'vie elements which are in definite relation, it is possible toobtai'nan outputvoltage independent of the load. It has also ,been-foundthat, if the potentiometer is 'fo'rined'fro'm vfour' reactive elements, three ofwhich are in. definite relation to eachothenthe fourth-being in definite relation to'the-other three to load impedance, it ispossible topbt'ain 'anoutput voltage independentofthe load to limit thevoltageacross the'elementsof'the :ntiomete rto any desired range of'valuesr I I i ."Itjis accor I v oneflof theiobjeets of the presentinvention jtoprovide a system whereby a source of valternating currentat a certain voltage is capable of supplying currentat a voltagerdifg ferent from that of the source without the use of transformersf I. fl V e V m Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a; system infwhi'ch the ratio of the input and output voltage'sfand phase angle between the" voltages} will be substantially independentof the load. i v

' AnotherIobiect-iof inelnvritioh' is hat;

a s'y'stem in which the voltages across the diner-- of ralli s.

ent: elements sm te limited to a definite range.

potentiometer fsystem for obtaining a} voltage different from the voltage of a' s'ource in which the i l dif ferentfelementsrofmthe. potentiometer are reg It has also been proposed to obtain energy at:

' low voltagefrom a high voltage supplyline by a potentiometer*arrangement in which case the voltage obtained from the potentiometer is usuf ally dependent upon the amount of energy drawn active-Iatgleas'toneofthe elements being an in ductance end at least one of the, elements being a capacitance. I

'transfonnatlom-but' independent of the characteristicjof the outputor-load' of the "Anotherjob ject' of the'inventlon is to provide maximum useful outputfelther constant or variable, at constant primary voltage without'exceedingrrtain limits of the, voltages across theqs'teps. Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will beappare'nt from the following de- 'l scription when read in oonnection with the' accompenying-drawingsin which I excessive voltages to appear across 'someof the Figure 1 shows a general diagram of connections [16,

2 n for a potentiometer performing the functions of a step-down transformer,

Fig. 2 shows a general diagram of connections for a potentiometer performing the functions of a step-up transformer,

Figs. 3, 4, 4a, 4b, 4c and 5 are diagrams illus-v trating six of the possible connection arrangements of the inductances and capacitances forming a potentiometer'which is shownin ageneral way in Fig. 1. The connections are particularly suitable when one pole of the circuit carrying the higher potential is grounded.

Fig. 6 shows a potentiometer arrangement;par-

ticularly applicable when the two poles of the circuit carrying the higher potential are not grounded, as for instance two insulated phases of a three-' phase circuit.

Fig. 7 diagrammatically shows one mechanical construction of a potentiometer arrangementsuch as shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows a general diagram of connections for a potentiometer system performing the functions either of a step-up or step-down transformer.

Fig. 9 shows an arrangement similar to that.

source supplies'substantially sine wave current at a substantially constant frequency and-will be maintained at a constant voltage if it is desired to obtain constant voltage from the low voltage side of the potentiometer, or the source of current may be at a variable voltage if-it is desired to obtain variable voltage from the potentiometer or to use the potentiometer for the purpose of measuring the voltage of the supply line. Reactive elements 12 and 13 are connected in series across the supply line 11, the low voltage output circuit of the potentiometer being connected across ele-' ment13 through another element 16, the output circuit being bridged by a; fourth element 17 Elements 12, 13, 16'and 17 are reactive, at least one of the elements 12, 13 or 16 being an inductance and at least one of the elements being-Ta. capacitance. The purpose of elements Band 13 is to divide the voltage of line 11 into two portionsfthe portion impressed upon the element 13 beingthen tapped and connected to the potentiometer output line 14. Element 16 isintroduced'for the purpose of obtaining the desired regulation and element 17 is introduced for the purpose of limiting the'voltage across the. other elements to deflnitevalues for certain values of the load connected toline 14. It is understood that each element may be made up of a plurality of capacitances and inductances in any arbitrary connection, the resulting reactance of the aggregation being. the only valueto be considered. The sole purpose of element l'l'isto draw an inductive or capacitive current which will bring the potentiometer output current to within a range giving the lowest possible impressed voltage" on "elements 12, 13

It is first assumed that no load is drawn from" line 14 whereupon the voltage of line 11 will be divided into two portions which are in phase coincidence or in phase opposition and in a ratio porportional to the ratio of the reactance of elements l2 and 13.. If elements 12 and 13 are of the same character, such as two capacitances or inductances, their voltage will be in phase coincidence and their arithmetic sum will be equal to the voltage of line 11. If one of the elements is an inductance and the other is a capacitance,

their voltage will be in phase opposition and their arithmetic diiference will be equal to the voltage of line 11. For all practical purposes the above connections producing a phase opposition can be changed to produce phase coincidence by crossing the leads connecting element 13 to the output circuit. If an attempt is now'made to draw current through the connections across element 13 the above described voltage distribution will be disturbed and a constant output voltage will no longer be obtained with a constant supply voltage, the output voltage then being no longer a measure of the supply voltage. V disadvantage the elements 12, 13 and 16 are so dimensioned that their inductive (positive) reactance and capacitive (negative) reactance conform to the equation a compensated circuit will then be established so that, no matter what the magnitude and the phase angle of the current circulating in the potentlometer output circuit, the voltage of line 14 will remairi'in the same proportion to the voltage of line 11 and. in exact phase coincidence or in exact phase opposition therewith. The above relation is exact for ideal elements without any losses but its accuracy will be affected by the losses in elements 12, 13, 16 and 17 which must therefore be maintained at a very low value.

' In a potentiometer of the type described, an increase in' load is generally followed by an increase in voltage across reactances 13 and 16 and depending on power factor, and the value of reactan'ce .1? ma decrease or increase of the voltage across the 'reactance 12 The potentiometer is' the better utilized the more output it can deliver without' exceeding certain limiting voltages whichjare permissible for the individual steps.

Itis also desirable that changes in load within voltageslis afforded by a'proper choice of the re:

actance 1'7. It has been found that, for any type of load, (expressed by 'an impedance Z, a resistance X and a resistance R) a minimum value of the step voltage E13 across reactance l3 ob- To obviate this tained, if the reactance X11 is dimensioned according to the following formula X1 R= X COS a i and is directly proportionateto the load current and to the power factor cos a of the load. This adjustment of reactance 17 therefore provides maximum possible output ofv the potentiometer for a certain liniiting'value of E13,

3Q; t 'The first and constant part (X -v), may be diresistance. 13

and protection of the potentiometer adjustment require calculationsin most casessoud are best determined by test. I

. ester vo a e Eoiacro s reactants 124st ume ih va ue.

as assist must therefore assesses forthis v51;-

If, asoitenis the ooserEn ssmall incomnarison, to E11,,the st p voltag E12 is very nearly equa to the v lta e En of-th souree which.

case no extra insulation for the reacta oe 12 is no required It is generally necessary to, desisn the reactance l'z for the full voltas ofhe ourcel in orderto avoid damage to ther actanoe if woe. te ti e dev ces associated with roactance .13 or. the; ontput circuit operate orin case a point he,

.1; two nreactance 12' and 13 becom ssrounded- Inlcaso of, variableloads which would requir a con tant adjustment of reacts-nee 17 tomaim tain the above .reiationreactance 17 may besplit nt two Par 'Q w ich the first (which may 20 b des sn oi ractance 16 or h h i -ixl and the second part twhich may be designated ed as X17) equals the negative value x4 equal the negative'value of the square or e load impedance divided by the load reactance or rectly c'onnectedto the output terminals of the potentiometer system'whereas the {second part 1 is permanently associated with each individual;

load. which it is desired to switch separately. If someflof ithe loads'have variable impeda'nces as rnotcrstc. means may be provided to regulate automatically the'second'part (XrV') of reactance 17 so as tobe always in accord with the formula.

For;variable loads, it may sometimes be' convenient to'omit the part Xw of reactance 1'7v associated with the: load and to retain only the 1 part Kari-x1 connected acrossthe output ter- I minals of the potentiometer." 1 hevoltage across is,'in this case, expressed by. the

"formula,"

5 and is independent'o'f the powerifactorj ffhef sacrificein maximum available output is 'sm'all infcase the power factoris near unity. U

It is "also possible to dimension the reactance 17in such a way that, for any value of thei load, thejvo'ltage E12 across reactance 12111085111017 ex- -ceed thevoltae'e E11 of the source, Equation for be derived for this case.

" It" is obvious that'with other X'rrE and E13 similar to those given above can adjustments of-the 6Q reactance lfl than indicated'above, control of the step voltages of a difierent "character than indicated may be accomplished." Thestep voltage" control" mentioned are considered the most important from the point of view. ofbstutilization 1 thapoint ofview of practicability.-

I It is also obvious that the above formulas are only strictlycorrect for potentiometers having no inherent losses and being supplied with a1 7L ternating" current of true sine wave current" and withe constant frequency." The, influence of. losses, harmonics and frequency changesma'y re- 5 quire slightly diflerentj adjustments "of: reactance 1'7 1 than indicated' by the formulas, in order to 7 receive thebest average results." Devi ations iron} from It 1185, been assumed-thus fsr'that the voltage of; line .11 was considerably hiuher than the I voltage-desir d in? line 14 but such relationship can be reversed. ifdesiredbbysuitable. choice or th values forithe e1ements-12 and13. 7 Another method ,for, obtaining the above results. consists in invertinu' the connections betweenfthe ole-'0 mentsand the twolines as shown in Fig. 2, elemerit 17 however remaining. connected with" the load sid ofthe potentiometer. A

Fig. 3 is an embodiment .of the connections enerally shown-inFim-l. It has been assumed that both elements 12 and13 are inductances and the voltage across element 13; 12v or 16: toa pre determined range of values for apredetermined range of current in the potentiometer output circuit,

Fig. 4 is a modification of the connections shown in Fig. 3. The element 13 is connected to linoll through antransformer 18. By suitable seioction'of the ratio of transformation of the transformer 18, it is possible to, make the dimensions of the other elements difierent from the dimensions required by theconnections of Fig, 3, the balance between the different elements.

beinsvhowever the samewhen the ratio of transe formation of transformer 18 is taken into account. It may be found desirable incertain applications to introduce transformer 183st other locations in the potentiometer system such as shown in Figs.

4a, 4b and 4c 'ofthe drawings as maybe required. It will be noted that the introduction of the" transformer lodoes not introduce, into the poreceives a voltage which is only a fraction of the voltage of; line 11 so that it does not require a large amount of insulation, it is economical to build and can be designed so as not to introduceexcessiveerrors intojthevoltage relations of the.-

potentiometer. In addition to" the above. ad-

tentiometer, the disadvantages mentioned above. forhigh-voltage transformers. Transformer 18 vantages, the usezof a transformer presents the" advantage of insulatingtheoutput circuit entirely I frolnthe input circuit. r 7 As is well known, a transformer such as shown at 18 will draw, from-the supply line, a certain sioning of the magnetic circuit :of the transformer.

, In the embodiment shown in Fig; 4, the effector such'magnetizing current is superimposed upon the efiectof the magnetizing current" of inductonce] .13 .so that'it ispossible to substitute an" equivalent amount of current drawn by thepri gamount-of magnetizingfcurrent whichcan be: adjusted to any desired :value by proper dimenmarycircuit of thetransformer 18.for the-currentdrawn by ,the'inductance l3 and thereby to eliminate the v necessityffor the inductance 13. The embodiment thus obtained is diagrammatical- 1y shown in Fig. 5 in which inductance 13 is eliminoted entirely while the characteristics ofthe potentiometer remain the same embodiment-shown in Fig. 3.

It will benoted, in'the embodiment of Fig; 3 that' one conductor of line 14 isfdirectly connected as those of the,

w the inductance 12 shown in Fig. 3.

at ground potential, whereas the supply-line 11 may be a three-phase line with or without a grounded neutral point so that every conductor of the line is at a considerable voltage to ground.

It is possible to reduce the potential of one of the conductors of line 14 to a potential sufficiently close to ground potential by utilizing the connections shown in Fig. 6. When such connection is made two equal elements 12, shown here as inductive reactances, are connected in series across the conductors of supply line 11 through two equal elements 13 here also shown as inductive reactances. The capacitance 27 has a capacitive reactance equal in magnitude to twice the capacitive reactance of element 16 as shown in Fig. 3. Element 17; here likewise shownas a reactance, remains connected across the line 14 for the purposeset forth above.-

Fig. '7 shows, somewhat diagrammatically; the

mechanical construction of a potentiometer'b'uilt' in accordance with the diagram of connections shown in Fig. 5. It is assumed that one side of line 11. is grounded as at 28, the other side being connected through the metallic cover 29 of the potentiometer which cover rests on a shell of insulating material 31 containing the inductance 12. Shell 31 in turn rests on a metallic casing 32 containing transformer 18, condenser 16 and element 1']. which shell is provided with 'outlets for the output line 14'. 1 It is assumed that inductance 12 is constructed with an air core, or with 7 an iron core provided with air gaps, and it may be immersed in an insulating fluid retained within the shell 31. One end ofthe' inductance 12 is connected to cover 29 and the other end, which is at a potential close to ground potential, is connected to the transformer 18 through'a suitable 5 bushing inserted in the partition between shell 31 and metallic. casing 32. Insulation of" the highvoltage end of inductance 12 is thus ob-f tained by means of insulated-shell 31 andthe insulating fluid contained therein and can be' easily and economically accomplished.

Constructions similar to those shown in Fig. 7 4

will be obtained for the differ'ent possible varia-' tions of the diagram of Fig.1 and Fig; 2. for instance, if capacitances are used for elements 12 and 13, such capacitances may be constructed as an insulated bushing provided with a layer or layers connected to the otherelements by a" suitable tap. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 it will be necessary to insulate element 17 similarly to the insulation of inductance 12 as showninFig. '7.

The diagram of connections shown in' "8 illustrates the use of a capacitance 35 in placeof of such arrangement it is often possiblet'o-reduce the cost of the system materially, particularly where small outputs are desired, or as struc tures now in use, such as leading in bushings of electrical apparatus, or insulator strings may be used to function as the capacity 35. t

The diagram of connections shown in'Fig., 9'

showsthe use of a transformer 18-for delivering the voltage across inductance 13 (Fig. 8) to the capacitance 16 and the output circuit The trans- It'will often be desired By the use former shown is built with a magnetizing current equivalent to the current drawn by inductance 13 (Fig. 8) so that the latter is not required, which results in a considerable reduction ofcost and smaller losses.

The diagram of connectionsshown in Fig. 10 illustrates the use of a capacitance 36 in place of the inductance 13 and of an inductance 37 in place of the capacitance 16 shown in Fig. 3. Transformers may be connected to the circuits shownonFigs-B and 10 in a similar way as shown in connection with the circuits of Fig. 3. The circuits can also be modified for use with a sourcehaving both poles insulated in a similar way as shown in Fig. 6 for the circuit of Fig. 3.

Although but a few-embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. I

The invention claimed is:

1. In a potentiometer system, a source of alternating current, the system including four re-' active elements, the relations of three of the elements being such that the product of two of the elements plus the product of one of the first two elements and of the third element plus the product of the other one of the first two elements and the third element equals zero, and an output circuit for the system.

2. In a-potentiometer, system, a source of alternating current, reactances connected across said circuit to divide the voltage thereof into two portions, an output circuit for the potentiometer systern and reactances connecting said first mentioned reactances with said output circuit, one

end of said source being directly connected with.

saidbutput circuit, the relations of three of said reactances being such that the product of two of the same plus the product of one of said reactances'a'nd of a third reactance plus the product of the other of the first mentioned reactances and the third said reactance equals zero.

3. In a potentiometer system, a source of alternating current, a plurality of inductances connected across said source to divide the voltage thereof into two portions, an output circuit for the potentiometer system, and a capacitance connecting said inductances with said output circuit, one end of said source being directly connected with said output circuit.

Ina potentiometer system, a source of alternating'current, inductances connected across said source to divide the voltage thereof into two portions, an output circuit for the potentiometer system, a capacitance connecting a point between said inductances with said output circuit, one end of said source being directly'connected with said output circuit, and a reactance connected across thefconnections of said first mentioned inductances with said output circuit.

5; In a potentiometer system, a source of alternating current supply, a reactance connected with said source, a second reactance connected in series with said first reactance and with said source,

-' an' output line, one terminal of said second reactance being connected with said outputline, a third reactance connected between theflrst two said rea'ctances and with said output line, and a fourth reactance connected across. the connections with said output line, the relation of the V first threesaid reactances being such that substantially constant ratioand phase angle are obl with saidsource, a second reactance connected in series with said first reactance and with said source'fan output line, one terminal of said secondreactancebeing connected with said out- I put lihefwthlrd reactance-connectedtetween the first two said reactances and with said out'-' put line-ands, fourth reactance connectedacross the connections with said output line, the relation of the first three saidreactances being such that substantially constant ratio and phase angle "13 are obtained between said source and said line for different values of load impedance, the relationof the fourth said reactance to the third said reactance and to the impedance of said line being such that the voltage across the second said so reactance is a minimum for each value of the impedance of said line.

7. In a potentiometer system, a source of alternating current supply, a reactance connected with said source, a second reactance connected H". in series with saidfirst reactanceand with said source, an output line, one terminal of said second reactance being connected with saidoutput line, a third reactance connected between the first two said reactances and withsaid output line, and Mia fourth reactance connected across the con nections with said output line, the value of the fourth said reactance being the negative product of the third said reactance with the squareif the impedance in said line divided by the sum all of the square of the impedance of said line and the product of the third said reactance with the reactance of said line, inductive reactances being taken with the positive sign and capacitive reactances beingtaken with'the negative sign.

8. In a potentiometer system, a source of alternating current supply, a reactance connected in series'with said first: reactance and with said source, an output line, one terminal of saidsec- 48;". ond reactance being connected with said output line, a third reactance connected between thefirst two said reactant-es and with said output line, and

a fourth'reactance connected across the connections with said output line, the fourth said reactance being dividedinto a plurality of portions,

one of theportions being equal to the negative value of the third; said reactance and the other portionsbeing. equalto the negative square of the impedance dividedby the reactance of said Kline.

9. In a potentiometer system, a source of alternating current supply, a reactance connectedwith said source, a second reactance connected in series with said first reactance, and with said 66,; source, an output line, one terminal of said second reactance being connected with said output line, a third reactance connected between the first two said reactances and withsaid outputline,

and a fourth reactance connected across the conoajinections with said output line, the relation of the fourth said reactance to the impedance ofsaid I of said transformer. with said source, asecondreactance connected j nected with said transrbnher and with said'outf put lineforminga path forthe supply of one portion of the voltage of said supply line. to said output line.--='

' 11. In a potentiometer system for transform ing voltages, an alternating current supply line, i an inductance having one terminalconnected with said line,- a transformer connected'with said inductance and withsaid line, an "output line; for

the potentiometer system, anda capacitance con 35 nected with saidtransformer and with saidbut put line forming a-pathfor the supply of a portion of the voltage of said supply line to'said output line.

12. In a'potentiometer system for transformm ingvoltages, an alternating current supply line, an inductance having one'terminal connected with said line, atransformer connected with another terminal of said inductance and with said line and transforming a portion only of the 'voltage of said line, the primary winding of said transformer being connected. in series with said inductance across said line, an output line forthe potentiometer system, and a capacitance connected with said transformer secondary winding and with said output line forming. a path for supplying the voltage transformed by said transformer to said output line.

13. In a potentiometer system for transforming voltages, an alternating current supply line, an inductance connected at one end with said line, a

rectly connected with said output line, and a reactanceconnected across the secondary winding I4. In a potentiometer system,an.input circuit providing a source of: alternatinfgcurrent, an output circuit, means comprising an inductance element anda capacitance element, means for so 129 connecting the first said means with said circuits that voltages are impressed on said output circuit from said input circuit, and: means connected with said output circuit for controlling the range of voltages: impressed upon the respective elements of the first said means in dependence upon the outputcircuit load. I

15. In a potentiometer system, an input circuit providing a'source of alternating current, an output circuit, a plurality of reactive elements, 130

,means for so connecting three of said elements with said circuits that voltages are impressed on said output circuit from said input circuit differing in magnitude from the voltages of said input circuit, and means for connecting a fourth of v said elements with said circuits so as to control the range of voltages impressed upon each of said three elements in dependence upon the output circuit load. I

16. In a potentiometer system, an input circuit providing a source of alternating current, a plurality of reactive elements, means for so connecting three of said elements with said circuitsthat voltages are impressed on said outputcircuit from said input circuit differing fromthe voltages impressed on 'said input circuit, the said three'elements being so dimensioned and connected as to controltheratio and the phase coincidence of the voltages of the output circuit with respect to the voltages of the input circuit, and means for connecting a fourth of said elements across said output circuit so as to control the range of voltages impressed upon each of said three of said elements in dependence upon the output circuit load. Y

. 1'7. In a potentiometer system, an input circuit providing a source of alternating current, an output circuit, a plurality of reactive elements, means for so connecting three of said elements with said circuits that voltages are impressed on said output circuit from said input circuit differing from the voltages impressed on said input circuit, the 

